Best of 2005: Boutique Plus

Open since September, the boutique of that name (1557 Potomac Greens Dr., Alexandria; 703-519-5242; periwinkleshop.com) is one of the first shops to move into the new Potomac Greens development. It already has attracted a devoted following that scoops up Robin Naylor velvet pants, Rachel Roy brocade coats, and Powwow fitted jackets.

Periwinkle is the only place in the area that sells high-end–and higher-rise-than-most–jeans by Denim for Immortality. Owners Gretchen Hitchner and Elizabeth Mason also win Best Bipartisan Venture: Hitchner was press secretary for Democratic senator Bill Nelson, Mason a scheduler for Second Lady Lynne Cheney.